Trump says he and Netanyahu don’t fully agree on West Bank issue

Israel faces global pressure to stop settler attacks in West Bank, key to future Palestinian state plans

US President Donald Trump said on Monday that he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not fully agree on the issue of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, but the Republican leader did not specify what the disagreement was.

In a briefing after a meeting with Netanyahu at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, Trump was asked if he had a message for Netanyahu about the West Bank and whether he was concerned that settler violence there could undermine peace.

"We have had a discussion, big discussion for a long time on the West Bank. And I wouldn't say we agree on the West Bank 100%, but we'll come to a conclusion on the West Bank," Trump said.

"I don't want to do that, it will be announced at an appropriate time," Trump added when asked what the disagreement between them was. Netanyahu "will do the right thing," he said.

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Israel has been under mounting international pressure to curb attacks by settlers on Palestinians in the West Bank. Home to 2.7 million Palestinians, the West Bank has long been at the heart of plans for a future Palestinian state alongside Israel.

The United Nations, Palestinians, and most countries regard Israeli settlements as illegal under international law. Israel disputes this, citing biblical ties to the land and security concerns. Around half a million Israeli settlers live in the West Bank.